With the new school year just weeks away, New Jersey school districts are taking matters into their own hands over student cell phone use—while the state stalls on creating uniform rules
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy called for a statewide ban on student cell phones during his State of the State address in January, citing classroom distractions and social media’s negative impact on mental health. The resulting bills, S3695/A4882, however, would only require the Commissioner of Education to draft guidelines within 90 days—if passed.
While the Senate bill passed in January and the Assembly bill cleared committee in March, no further action has been taken. In the meantime, Murphy has proposed a $3 million “Phone-Free Schools” grant program, expected later this year, while New York State has already earmarked $13.5 million for similar efforts.
📋 How NJ Schools Are Acting Without State Guidance
Some districts aren’t waiting.
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Ridgewood – Began restrictions in September 2024. Elementary students keep phones in backpacks, middle schoolers store them in lockers, and high school students surrender them to door caddies upon entering classrooms. Superintendent Mark Schwarz calls the program “very successful.”
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Ramsey – Implemented restrictions in January 2025. High school students place phones in locked security pouches, younger students store them in backpacks or lockers. Superintendent Andrew Matteo reports “positive outcomes” despite initial student pushback.
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Montclair – Launching an “off and away” policy this fall, requiring phones to be stored in lockers or designated bins.
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Newark – Phones must be off and put away at all times. Communication with parents must go through the main office.
Across Bergen, Essex, Passaic, Morris, and Sussex counties, policies vary—some allow phone use during lunch, while others impose total bans throughout the day.
⚖️ The Legal & Safety Debate
Opponents of bans argue that students need cell phones for emergencies, especially during school shootings. However, law enforcement warns that widespread phone use during crises can clog emergency lines and reveal hiding spots to attackers.
Education attorney David Rubin notes that NJ’s existing 1989 law on paging devices gives schools broad authority to restrict devices:
“There’s no right to have that equipment in schools. If districts want to ban it, they are free to.”
📊 What the Public Thinks
A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll shows opinions split:
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65% of respondents over 65 support a ban vs. 30% under 30.
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Republicans favor bans (56%) more than Democrats (39%).
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White voters support bans more (51%) than Hispanic (43%) or Black voters (39%).
🌎 National Trends
New Jersey is lagging behind other states—31 states and D.C. already have rules restricting or banning student cell phone use. New York City will implement restrictions for 1.1 million public school students starting September.
🔍 Research Says… It’s Complicated
A February study from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence found that phone bans didn’t improve academic performance in British schools. Students simply shifted usage to before and after school.
The takeaway: school policies help reduce distractions during class, but solving the problem may require a whole-day approach to teen phone use.
📌 The Bottom Line
As the new school year approaches, New Jersey is caught in the middle of a cell phone policy tug-of-war—with state leaders calling for action, districts improvising their own rules, and parents, educators, and students fiercely divided over how far restrictions should go.
Whether Murphy’s proposed ban gains momentum or districts continue to craft their own rules, one thing is certain: the debate over phones in schools is far from over. Stay updated on state and national news that affects you. From politics to policy, from culture to current affairs, our eBlast will keep you well-informed . http://eepurl.com/bgt6T #RidgewoodBlog #News #LocalNews #StateNews #NationalNews #Subscribe #StayInformed #Community